Soundcore's Liberty 5 Pro earbuds deliver best call quality I've ever heard

At a glance:

• Exceptional call quality with advanced noise cancellation surpasses competitors like Apple, Sony, and Bose.
• Liberty 5 Pro Max adds AI transcription via case screen; Pro model offers same core features at lower price.
• Priced at $170 and $230, targeting premium segment with new Thus chip and premium design.

Anker's Soundcore aims higher with Thus chip and premium pricing

Soundcore, Anker’s audio brand, has historically occupied the budget-to-midrange space, but the new Liberty 5 Pro series signals a deliberate pivot toward premium territory. The two models—Liberty 5 Pro and Liberty 5 Pro Max—are powered by Anker’s new Thus chip, which delivers more processing power than previous Soundcore earbuds to compete with the custom silicon found in Apple, Sony, and Bose products. This hardware leap enables features previously unseen in the brand’s lineup, most notably call noise cancellation that the reviewer describes as the best ever heard in any earbuds. Previously, Soundcore’s highest-priced model (excluding sleep buds) was the Liberty 4 Pro at $150; the Liberty 5 Pro jumps to $170, while the Max variant reaches $230, encroaching on AirPods Pro 3 territory.

This pricing strategy reflects a shift in positioning: within a product line, price gaps usually indicate design differences, such as the open-ear AirPods 4 with ANC versus the sealed AirPods Pro 3. However, the Liberty 5 Pro and 5 Pro Max share identical core specifications—the same Thus chip, 9.2mm drivers, microphone array, ANC performance, sound profile, battery life, IP55 rating, and overall features. The sole distinction lies in the case: the 5 Pro includes a slanted 0.96-inch TFT screen, while the 5 Pro Max boasts a larger 1.78-inch AMOLED touchscreen with additional capabilities.

Inside the Thus chip: processing power for calls and ANC

The Thus chip’s enhanced processing enables real-time audio computation that elevates both noise cancellation and call clarity. Adaptive noise-canceling performance is comparable to the AirPods Pro 3, handling low-end drones effectively for scenarios like long flights, though it lets in slightly more midrange than Apple’s offering—a negligible difference in practice. The chip also powers the earbuds’ voice call capability, which uses advanced algorithms to isolate the wearer’s voice from ambient noise. During testing, the earbuds completely muted a singing, yelling child and a wood chipper outside an open window, leaving the call partner unaware of the chaos. This performance stems from the chip’s ability to process multiple microphone inputs simultaneously, a feature previously reserved for flagship models from larger competitors.

Technically, the earbuds feature a nine-millimeter driver and an array of microphones optimized for voice pickup. The IP55 rating ensures resistance to dust and water, adding durability. Battery life, while not explicitly quantified in the source, is implied to be competitive within the premium segment. The Thus chip’s efficiency likely contributes to all-day usability, though heavy feature use (like screen interaction) may impact longevity.

Price points and model differentiation: Pro vs. Pro Max

The Liberty 5 Pro retails at $170, while the 5 Pro Max costs $230—a $60 premium for case enhancements. The 5 Pro case includes a 0.96-inch TFT screen on the front, allowing users to adjust settings like ANC, sound profiles, speak-to-chat, and Dolby head tracking without opening the Soundcore app. Everything achievable on the screen is also available in the app, making the display a matter of preference rather than necessity.

In contrast, the 5 Pro Max’s 1.78-inch AMOLED screen sits on its sliding top and adds functionality: adjustable brightness, wallpaper customization, and a built-in microphone with AI note-taking. The case can record audio directly to its 357MB of storage, then transfer files to a phone where the Soundcore app generates transcriptions and summaries. The AI differentiates between speakers and, in testing, proved highly accurate. Recordings can be edited in the app or exported as MP3, .txt, Markdown, .docx, or PDF files. However, this feature requires a Soundcore account. For users who regularly record classes or meetings, it’s a convenient tool—especially since it works without the earbuds inserted. Beyond the larger screen, this AI functionality is the only major upgrade over the 5 Pro.

Design, comfort, and usability

Aesthetically, the Liberty 5 Pro resembles the Bose Ultra Earbuds with a wide, chunky outer body, but the design slims down where it matters—the housing tapers to fit the ear more naturally, avoiding the bulbous shape of competitors. This results in a secure, comfortable fit that stays in place during vigorous activity, such as jumping around. The case design prioritizes screen usability: the Pro’s angled display is easy to view on a desk, while the Max’s top-mounted screen allows for quick access while the case sits in a pocket.

The touch controls on the earbuds themselves are responsive for playback and call management, but the standout usability feature is the case screen. Users can toggle ANC modes, switch sound profiles, or activate speak-to-chat directly from the case, reducing reliance on the smartphone app. For those who prefer app-based control, the Soundcore app remains fully functional, offering an 8-band equalizer in addition to the seven-step sound-tuning questionnaire.

Sound customization and audio performance

Out of the box, the Liberty 5 Pro exhibits a bass-heavy sound profile that can muddy vocals, particularly male voices, and dull snare hits. High-frequency sparkle is also lacking. To address this, Soundcore includes a seven-example sound-tuning quiz that adjusts the earbuds’ EQ based on user preference; an 8-band manual EQ is also available. After customization, the sound improves significantly: bass remains present but lower mids are cleaned up, and high mids receive a slight boost, opening the overall audio landscape. In testing with Nick Drake’s “Pink Moon,” acoustic guitar and piano shimmered more clearly, and vocals no longer got buried under instrumentation. Compared to the AirPods Pro 3, the tuned Liberty 5 Pro still emphasizes bass more and has a slightly less pronounced high end, but music enjoyment remains high. The earbuds support LDAC for high-resolution audio streaming from compatible devices, appealing to audiophiles.

Noise cancellation and call clarity: the standout feature

Adaptive noise cancellation on the Liberty 5 Pro matches the AirPods Pro 3 in effectiveness, especially against low-frequency sounds like airplane engines. The real triumph, however, is call clarity. The earbuds’ ability to suppress unpredictable ambient noise is unprecedented: during a walk with passing traffic—including emergency vehicles—a regular call partner noted the wearer’s voice sounded remarkably natural and uncompressed, surpassing even Apple’s offering. In blind tests where the reviewer switched between earbuds without disclosure, the friend consistently rated the Liberty 5 Pro superior, describing the AirPods Pro 3 as “muddy and more compressed.” This edge in call quality is directly attributable to the Thus chip’s real-time signal processing, which outperforms competitors’ solutions in noisy environments.

Voice control without wake words: convenience vs. privacy

The Liberty 5 Pro introduces hands-free voice control that responds to 11 specific commands—such as “Play Music,” “Volume Up,” “Reject Call,” and “Transparency Mode”—without requiring a wake word. While convenient, this feature has drawbacks: it lacks consistency in loud settings, often requiring raised voices to register commands. During a test with a spouse on a Zoom call in the same room, the reviewer had to speak uncomfortably loudly for mode changes to take effect. More concerning is the always-listening nature: the earbuds continuously monitor for any of the 11 phrases, raising potential privacy questions. Unlike wake-word systems that activate only after a specific trigger, this approach means the microphones are perpetually analyzing ambient audio, which may discomfort privacy-conscious users.

Conclusion: who should buy the Liberty 5 Pro?

For call quality alone, the Liberty 5 Pro series represents a significant leap forward, making it the top choice for frequent callers. The AI note-taking on the 5 Pro Max is innovative but niche; most users should opt for the standard Pro model and save $60, as both share identical ANC, sound (after tuning), and call performance. At $170, the Pro model offers compelling value against premium rivals, especially for those not entrenched in Apple, Google, or Samsung ecosystems. While the default sound profile needs tweaking and the voice control has limitations, the overall package—robust build, comfortable fit, excellent ANC, and groundbreaking call clarity—justifies the price increase from Soundcore’s previous models. Anker has successfully bridged the gap between budget accessibility and premium performance, positioning Soundcore as a serious contender in the crowded earbud market.

Photography by John Higgins / The Verge